The Running Bibliophile

Ghostly Getaway (Diary of an Accidental Witch, #6)  by Perdita Cargill and Honor Cargill is a children's book published on February 11, 2025. It opens with Bea and her fellow classmates on a school trip to Cadabra Castle where there are lots of activities that require teamwork. During the night, they hear lots of strange noises. Ghosts don't exist, right? A big thank you to NetGalley and Tiger Tales for approving my request for a copy. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for my honest review. The story is told in format of a diary of a sixth grade student who just happens to be a witch. This latest edition can be read as a stand alone book and is super cute. It's very similar to The Worst Witch  series by Jill Murphy. Despite not being the target audience, I enjoyed the story and was engaged with it from the beginning. Parts of it reminded me of when I was a kid and went to Girl Scout camp as well as Rock Eagle. It's definitely a book that...

The Meadowbrook Murders  by Jessica Goodman  is a young adult novel published on February 4, 2025. The story opens with the character Amy discovering the bodies of her classmates, Sarah and Ryan, who are undoubtedly deceased. Told from alternating perspectives of Amy and Liz, both students are trying to find out who and why someone would want to murder two students at a prestigious boarding school. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for free in exchange for my honest review. When the story first began, I thought it was taking place at a college or university before I realized it took place at a boarding school. Other than that slight confusion, this suspenseful mystery captured my attention from the very beginning and had me on the edge of my seat. Both of the main characters were vastly different from one another but were likable in their own way. Unfortunately, other than Amy and Liz, the only o...

Trust Issues  by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands opens with Perry finding out that his wife had an unfortunate accident and passed away, which leaves him to tell his estranged stepchildren, Kagan and Hazel, what happened. When Kagan and Hazel offer their help with settling the estate, Perry turns them away and absconds with everything, but not before charming a wealthy widower in hopes of conning her out of money. Will Kagan and Hazel be able get their inheritance back and stop their stepfather before he takes advantage of yet another lonely woman? I'd like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for approving me to read an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of Trust Issues . I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. Hazel, Kagan, and Perry have to be the most unlikable characters in the history of books. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about them. In fact, I disliked the characters so much that I considered not finishing the book. The only redeeming ...

Orson and the World's Loudest Library by Laura Gehl is about a boy named Orson and how the library is one of his favorite places to read. However, on a particular day, it's super noisy. NetGalley and Astra Publishing House approved my request to read this book, which I am extremely thankful about. They provided me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Orson and the World's Loudest Library for free in exchange for my honest review. I love that Laura Gehl used this book to teach a lesson that libraries are used for more than reading and research. They now are more of a community center that offers all sorts of activities including book clubs. The story was well written along with being beautifully illustrated. This children's book is geared towards kids between the ages of four and eight and grade levels of preschool through third grade. The expected publication date is April 15, 2025 and is thirty-two pages in length. Five out of five stars is what I rated Orson and the...

Haunting and Homicide (A Ghost Tour Mystery, #1)  by Ava Burke opens with a little girl named Lou Thatcher talking with a ghost about how she doesn't want to move. Fast forward to several years later, Lou has moved back to the Garden District of New Orleans, Louisiana. She still can see and talk with ghosts and has opened her own business . . . a haunted history walking tour. When one of Lou's competitors dies just feet from her, she becomes the number one suspect in his death. Can Lou prove her innocence, or will she end up in jail? A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for approving me and providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Haunting and Homicide . When I read the synopsis of the book, I just knew I had to read it. I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review. The beginning of this story didn't immediately pull me in, but after reading a few pages, I found myself engaged with the tale the author was weav...

Unruly Julie  by Alan Moss  is a children's picture book with an expected publication date of January 28, 2025. This rhyming kids book is about a girl named Julie who gets herself into trouble by being mischievous before finally realizing she wants to behave like a proper little girl. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd. for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Unruly Julie  for free in exchange for my honest review. I found the title and cover of the book to be quite catchy and wanted to see what it was all about, and it didn't disappoint. The content of the story was quite catchy and memorable, and the illustrations were quite fun. The lesson was a passive lesson that I hope children will pick up on as it's an important one. It's just an all around fun book that's appropriate for children between the ages of three and five. Five out of five stars is what I give Unruly Julie  by Alan Moss. This is a first in a series that kid...

Witchycakes #1:  Sweet Magic written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Ariane Moreira  is a children's picture book for kids between the ages of six and nine with an expected publication date of August 5, 2025. The story is about a magical bakery and a kid named Blue who delivers the baked goods to businesses around town, and they like to help people out. What adventures does Blue help out with? A huge thank you goes out to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for providing me with a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. I loved the synopsis of this book, and I love most anything that involves witches. This is a super cute picture book about a child named Blue that uses the pronouns of they/their. They like to help out people by practicing magic that they've learned. When the magic doesn't always go according to plan, Blue must find other ways to help out. Children will enjoy this heartwarming story. A recipe is included at the end of the book, and paren...

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop (Beacon Bakeshop, #1)  by Darci Hannah is the first book in the Beacon Bakeshop book series. It opens with the main character, Lindsey Bakeswell, moving to Michigan to open a bakery after she found her fiance Jeffrey Plank in a compromising position with Mia Wong. When opening day finally arrives, it's all going well until Mia dies from sampling one of Lindsey's products. Can Lindsey prove her innocence and be able to reopen her bakery? I loved reading this book and finding out how this series started. It gave me plenty of backstory on each character and how each of them met. Of course, Lindsey is one of my favorite characters along with her dog Wellington. I especially like the love interest named Rory Campbell. Boy is he h-o-t in every way! I want a man in my life that is as cool, calm, and collected as he is, and not to mention super understanding!! * swoon * Lindsey going from being a big wig on Wall Street to deciding to be a baker and owner o...